I'm standing 2,500 metres in the air, the wind blowing at my back and a blanket of pure white snow lies below me. Bending my knees and leaning slightly on my back leg I point my board downhill and say a little prayer to the snowboarding gods.
This is powder heaven - Andorra style.
Nestled in the Pyrenees this peculiar little principality has unfairly played second fiddle to the flashiness of better known European resorts.
But with a reputation for value, a bustling nightlife and most of all good snow it was an obvious choice for this year's lads' holiday.
Dubbed the 'Magaluf of the Mountains' Pas de la Casa - known locally as Pas - was an obvious choice for this group of 20 and 30-somethings trying to cling onto their youth.
The bustling town is located in the Grand Valira (grandvalira.com) resort which offers 210km of piste ranging from meandering blues to challenging black slopes.
There were also countless off-piste tracks through forests and valleys which we spent much of the week negotiating.
Prior to leaving, many had warned about the length of the transfer but it was just a three-hour bus journey from Toulouse airport in Southern France.
And the second part of the trip was an incredible uphill voyage through the breathtaking Pyrenees mountains - between France and Spain.
We booked our trip through Ireland's leading snow tour operator Topflight (topflight.ie) and the agency currently has great deals on packages to Andorra.
Personally I'm not a huge fan of the package tour and dread the thought of being herded around like a bunch of disobedient sheep.
But the light touch and caring approach adopted by our reps Stephanie McDonnell and Chloe Semple made the trip a complete pleasure from start to finish.
Travelling in a group of seven lads, value was a big priority so we opted to stay at the Frontera Blanca apartments ( fronterablanca.com ).
The big advantage of this accommodation was its proximity to the slopes with four chair lifts less than 50 metres from the front door - a big plus for anyone carrying heavy ski gear.
A wide range of shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs are also right on the doorstep.
If you don't have your own equipment there are a number of ski and board rental shops in the town. Ski and boot rental will set you back around €85 while thrill-seekers looking to try snowboarding can rent the necessary equipment for just over €100.
Lessons are a must for those looking to learn or improve and at just over €118 for 15 hours you have no excuse for not polishing your skills.
Almost all of the instructors in the resort speak excellent English and those who availed of the classes in our group were delighted they did so.
Pas de la Casa is in the north east of the resort and your ski pass, which costs €240 for six days, allows you access to slopes around the towns of Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canilloand even travel into the town of Encamp using the lengthy Funicamp gondola.
These towns are quieter and possibly more family-friendly than bustling Pas de la Casa andoffer a welcome lunchtime retreat for the tired snowboarder or skier on an adventure around the slopes.
Unlike resorts in France and Austria, slopes in The Grand Valira are linked mostly by chairlifts. These are often slower and certainly colder than cable cars.
For snowboarders and the more adventurous skiers Andorra offers three fun parks.
The largest of these is near El Tarter and it offers insane jumps and challenging rails.
If, like me, you want to return with all your limbs intact then it might be best to start with some of the more manageable Xavi park near Grau Roig.
Lifts in the resort open at 9am and run until 5pm, except on Sundays when floodlights are switched on and you can ski or board until 8pm.
Earlier in the season there was a lack of snow across the continent but recent flurries mean that there is up to a metre of snow in certain parts of the resort. Snow cannons also run throughout the day meaning conditions on the slopes are almost perfect now.
It is a popular resort so an early start, especially at weekends, is crucial to enjoying the best conditions.
If you are staying in Pas this might be easier said than done. You can come off the piste at 5pm and party until 5am.
Two of the most popular bars in the resort, The Auld Dubliner and Paddy's, are actually Irish but there are plenty other watering holes in the resort.
Due to a low tax rate booze is extremely cheap in shops so thrifty drinkers might get better value on a night in.
Pas is a party town with French, Irish, British and Spanish tourists flooding the resort into the early hours of the morning.
Those with children may find the subdued resorts of Soldeu and El Tarter more familyfriendly for the winter break. In both those towns creche facilities are available for €46 a day while older kids can learn to ski in the snow garden.
If you want a break from the slopes for an afternoon then a trip to the Caldea spa (caldea.com/es) in the country's capital Andorra la Vella is an absolute must.
It is described as Europe's largest thermal spa and with endless jacuzzis, saunas and baths it is the perfect spot to relax weary muscles.
Admission is around €35 and it was surprisingly popular with the lads on our trip.
Weather permitting the Grand Valira will stay open until April 12 and it is a perfect spot for those who want to enjoy a Celtic Tiger snow holiday at a recession price.
FACTFILE
Cathal travelled to Pas de la Casa, Andorra, with Topflight, Ireland's leading Ski Tour Operator.
He stayed in Frontera Blanca. Prices from €457pps - this includes return flights from Dublin, resort transfers, seven nights accommodation on self-catering basis, generous luggage allowance and representative service.
Pas de la Casa offers a range of activities with a freeride area, freestyle classes, dog mushing, snow biking, snowshoeing and other familyfriendly activities.
Contact Topflight on 01 2401 700, visit topflight.ie or your local travel agent for special offers.
Pas was an obvious choice for a group of 20 and 30-somethings trying to hold onto their youth.
